Important Details when Choosing the Right Kimono Gift

Thinking of gifting someone with a kimono? Choosing is easy! Just make sure to take note of the following elements.

1. The Season

It is important to note the season if ever you choose to give kimonos as gifts. Whatever the occasion is, before a Japanese person decides what to wear, he always has the season in mind. For instance, pale colors are the typical kimono colors worn in spring while the darker and cooler shades are good for summer. During winter, they usually prefer really striking and strong colors like black and red. For autumn, they usually wear clothes that imitate the changing colors of the leaves.

You must also take into consideration other types of kimonos such as the yukata, which is an informal Japanese kimono worn during summer festivals.

2. Married and Unmarried Women

In Japan, married women have different kimonos than unmarried women. Unmarried women wear furisode which are long sleeved, while married women wear tomesode, which are short sleeved kimonos with a decorated pattern only at the bottom half of the fabric. Tomesodes are usually black because they are typically decorated with the family crest and worn on formal occasions such as weddings of relatives.

3. Visiting Kimonos

Homongi is a kimono typically worn by women when paying a formal visit. A homongi can be determined based on the pattern because homongis are normally covered by a decorative pattern. There is also a tsukesage, which is a kimono worn for parties, friend’s weddings, and tea ceremonies. Tsukesages are usually decorated with patterns from the front and back hemlines. They also have a kimono for casual wear called the komon, which has more subtle patterns in them.

The Japanese kimono is a very traditional and symbolic garment in Japan. It is so significant in Japanese history and culture that the Japanese people still continue to preserve them and wear them especially for important occasions.

In giving them as gifts, be sure that you know a few details about the person you’re giving them to. Guide yourself with these important details so that you can buy the right gift that takes into consideration the very important aspects of Japanese tradition and values.